Collapsible folding radiator filler



J. C. SELF AND J. B. TW -D.

COLLAPSIBLE FOLDING RADlATOR FILLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15, L922.

Patented Oct 3, 192K Elite: nag

Patented Oct. 3, 1922.

UNKTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES C. SELF, OF ASHEVILLE, AND JOHN B TWEED, 0F MARSHALL, NORTH CAROLINA.

COLL A PSIBLE FOLDING RADIATOR FILLER.

" Application filed March 15, 1922. Serial No. 543,913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JAMES C. SELF and JOHN B. Twins-1), citizens of the United States, residing at, respectively, Asheville and Marshall, in the counties of Buncombe and Madison and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in'Collapsible Folding Radiator Fillers, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to collapsible folding radiator fillers and more particularly to an improved device for use in filling the radiator of an automobile. 4 p

The primary object of the invention is to provide a structure which may be opened out to form a convenient funnel which will have a restricted spout adapted to be fitted in the opening in the radiator and which may receive a quantity of water so that the water will be distributed to the radiator without splashing over the sides of the radiator.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a device of this character which will open out in the form of a convenient funnel but which may be folded into a rela tively small compact form when not in use.

Other objects of the invention will appear upon consideration of the following detail description and accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the device showing the parts in operative position,

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the mechanism folded in collapsed position,

Figure 3 is an enlarged section taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, the spout or neck 1 is adapted to be inserted in the opening in the radiator and the upper portion of this spout is equipped with a valve opening forming a valve seat 2 within which is arranged a movable disk valve 3 connected to a valve stem 4 which projects upwardly and centrally through the structure. The stem 1 passes through a uide plate 5 held by the arms 6 through t e upper portion of the spout 1 and these arms 6 also serve as supports for the pivot members 7 which receive the movable frame arms 8. A vertically extending tube 9 has its lower end resting against the guide plate 5 and the valve stem s is extended centrally;

through the tube as shown. An abutment member 10 on the tube vnear the lower end thereof, is engaged by one end of a coil spring 11 the upper end of which abuts against a sliding collar 12 adapted to longitudinally slide on the'tubeg This collar connected the arms 15 of the frame struc ture. The outer terminals of the arms 15 are pivotally connected near the upper ends of the frame arm 8. A folding handle member 16 is provided which consists of the pivoted links '17 and the ends of these links are connected to the connecting rods 18 which are pivotally joined to the brace arms 15 as indicated at 19 thus connecting all of the levers and arms together. The upper end of the valve stem 4 is provided with a ring or eyelet 20 whereby the valve 3 may be opened and closed.

By referring to the drawing it will be noted that when the parts are in the posi-- tion shown in Fig. 1 the structure forms a convenient funnel which may receive a quantity of water to be guided through the spout 1 into the radiator when the valve 3 is raised to open the valve opening. When the device is not in use the handle 16 will be collapsed and the members 15 will swing downwardly while the frame arms 18 will swing on their pivot 7 to be substantially parallel. to each other and to the central tube 9, thus bringing the parts relatively close together and forming a compact structure. Of course, the frame bars 8 are provided with a suitable rubberized fabric 21 forming the body of the funnel, and this is connected to the neck 1 by a retaining ring or other suitable fastening means 22. The material being flexible, will readily adapt itself to the frame structure when it is collapsed as shown in Fig. 2.

Minor changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

What is claimed is 1. A device of the character described comprising an outlet spout, valve means arranged in the spout, pivoted frame bars contoward and away from each other, a waterproof fabric attached to the said frame bars and fastened to the said spout, a central guide tube, a valve stem connected to the said valve and passing centrally through the said guide tube, pivoted brace arms pivotally connected to the said frame bars, a slidable collar on the said tube pivotally connected to the said brace arms, an abutment member at each end of the tube, and a coil spring interposed between the said collar and the lowermost abutment member.

2. A collapsible folding funnel of the character described comprising an outlet spout, a valve member arranged in the spout, a valve stem extending from the said valve member upwardly and vertically, a guide plate having the said stem extended .t-herethrough, arms supporting the said guide plate above the said spout, the said arms being provided with pivot members, foldable frame bars pivotally connected to the said arms, a waterproof fabric attached to the said frame bars, a tube mounted upon the said guide plate and embracing the said valve stem and equipped at each end with abutment members, a sliding collar mounted on the said tube and adapted to be moved into engagement with the uppermost abutment member, a coil spring interposed between the lowermost abutment member and the said collar to normally urge the collar upwardly, pivotal connections between the collar and the upper end of the frame bars, a handle, and connecting members joining the said handle with the pivotal connection.

3. A device of the character described comprising an outlet spout, a tapered body of rubberized fabric having its lower restricted end attached to the said spout, frame bars pivotally mounted above the spout and engaged with the said fabric body to spread the body outwardly when the frame bars are extended, a central guide tube, a collar slidably mounted on the said guide tube, spring means to normally urge the collar upwardly, frame bars pivotally connected to the collar and to the said side frame bars, and a collapsible handle member connected to the said pivoted brace arms.

In testimony whereof We affix our signatures.

JAMES C. SELF. I JOHN B. TWEED. 

